Adjustable discharge louver device for air conditioners



March 1953 w. s. STAIR 2,632,375

\ ADJUSTABLE DISCHARGE LOUVER DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS Filed Dec. 8,1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Zhwentor W111i am SScair Gttornegs March 24, 1953 FOR AIR CONDITIONERS Filed Dec. 8, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Pm 5 mm mm in m HM vm PNL L PN. k m mm wm my I @N ."H R i 3 mm mm 0N. f w v v 0N INN m RN @1 m E a h uu HQ MN a H m M v wfi H.\ NN

' inventor William S. Shir @42 attorneys March 24, 1953 W. S. STAIR ADJUSTABLE DISCHARGE LOUVER DEVICE FOR AIR CQNDITIONERS Filed Dec.

4 Sheets-Sheet s Fie.9

@L k w 3nveritor William 5.51am:

(Ittornegs W. S. STAIR ADJUSTABLE DISCHARGE LOUVER DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS March 24, 1953 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Dec. 8, 1950 3nventor William SStair (Ittorn egs Patented Mar. 24, 1953 ADJUSTABLE DISCHARGE LOUVER DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS William S. Stair, York, Pa., assignor to York Corporation, York, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application December 8, 1950, Serial No. 199,834

6 Claims. (01. 98-40) v v This invention relates to discharge louvers for units such as air conditioners, room coolers and the like.

. The requirements are conflicting. Quiet operation is indispensable. Compactness of the conditioner unit is so important that space occupied by the fan and the discharge plenum must be held to the practicable minimum. Yet the discharging conditioned air should flow with sufficient velocity to assure good distribution. These requirements present a substantial problem even if the direction of discharge be fixed.

The invention provides an adjustable louver mechanism which affords two components of angular adjustment, each independent of the other, and each of substantial range. One component adjustment can be made without increasing the throttling eifect of the louvers as the angle increases. As to the other component, the increase in throttling is not significant until the limit of adjustment is closely approached.

It is characteristic of the improved construction that the louvers are short, and in terms of proportion rather massive, so that when molded in materials of comparatively low specific weight, resonance is minimized. The adjustable frame in which the louvers are mounted, though long, is not so slender in cross section as to respond resonantly to the flowing air. Moreover, it is muffled to an extent by the louvers. In fact the Whole assembly is distinctly non-resonant, partly because it is formed almost exclusively of molded plastic material, but in greater degree because of form and proportion.

, Twoembodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved louver structure, mounted in an inclined surface at the upper front margin of the case of a conditioner of the window-sill-mounted type.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are respectively face elevation, back elevation and end elevation of the frame or mount which supports the improved louver structure.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the swiveled secondary louver-carrying frame, as it appears removed from the mount shown in Figs. 2-4, with the louvers in place.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, drawn on a larger scale than any of Figs. 1-5.

Fig. 7 is a similar section on the line 11 of Fig. 1. The plane of section is more precisely Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the swiveled secondary frame of Fig. 5, drawn on the scale of Figs. 6 and 7. The louvers are shown in broken lines.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the two retainer straps used to hold the swiveled frame of Fig. 5 in assembled relation with the mount of Figs. 2-4.

Figs. 11 and 12 are views of a modified dual louver construction in which two swiveled frames each with louvers are arranged side by side in a duplex mount, Fig. 11 being a section on the line iill of Fig. 12 and Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2l2 of Fig. 11.

In Figs. 1 and 6 the decorative casing of a conditioner has a front wall [5, an end wall l6 and a top I1.

A frame generally indicated in Fig. 1 by the numeral I8 is mounted in an apertured inclined portion l9 of the casing which forms the junction between front [5 and top ll. As indicated in Fig. 6 the frame 18 conforms to the margin of the aperture, which aperture obviously is the discharge port for conditioned air.

Refer now also to Figs. 2-5. In addition to the side members 2!, the frame [8 has decorative faceted end portions 22 and adjacent to these has arched portions 23, which, as Viewed from the bottom (Fig. 3), are internally formed as cylindrical half bearings 24, each with a groove 25. The holes 26 are to receive threaded fastenings (not shown) used to attach the frame to the casing. The threaded holes 21 are to receive screws 28 (see Fig. 7) used to attach arcuate straps 29 (see Fig. 10) which complete the bearings 24. These straps are of metal and-can be so formed as to develop a desired degree of friction on the swiveled outlet frame 3|.

The frame 3i is shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive. It is rotatably supported on two journals 32, and in the illustrated embodiment these are at the extreme ends of the frame. each journal is a rib 33 designed to work freely in a corresponding groove 25 in the corresponding bearing in frame l8. As best indicated in Fig. 7, the arcuate extent of the grooves is That of the ribs is less, to the extent necessary to permit the desired rotary movement. As indicated in Figs. 6 and 7 the two attaching flanges of strap 29 serve as stops and are engaged by th ends of the rib.

Between the journals 32 the member 3| is 1ongitudinally slotted and thus consists of two bars 34 which are segments of a circle in cross s'ec tion. In the example illustrated the diameter of this circle is equal to the diameter of the journals 32 and the width of the slot is approximately of the diameter. The slot is substantially continuous from journal to journal, since it is interrupted by one bridge piece 35 which carries a finger -piece-36by-- whichthe framemay be adjustedll The frame issplit longitudinally-(see Figs. 5, 7 and 8) and the two halves are connected by screws 31.

The opposed inner faces of the segmental bars 34 have each a row of shallow cylindrical cavi-- ties 38 which serve as bearings for disc-lilze-trunnions 39 formed at each end of louvers-dtwhich extend across the slot in frame 3i. Theebeare ing cavities and the trunnions which turn in them are of a diameter which .is several times their axial dimension.

a friction-developing spring 43 is inserted in eaclr of the spaces so: afforded.

With the. construction illustrated and above described, adjustment of frame 3! varies the direction of airdischarge-through a vertical angle of about 45. Even the extreme adjustments do not impose anyincreased throttling effect. Individua-l. louversmay be set in different angular position-sthrough a range of 90 i. e. about 45 in opposite directions from the positions shown in Fig- 9. In extreme adjustments the louvers willthrottle'flow.

The invention. thus provides a louver constructionwhich affords good directional control of discharge flow, and presents a notably attractive appearance. It occupies verylittle space, is easilymanipulated. and does not resonate;

While the angleimounting shown in Figs. l-l presents advantages, the construction is adaptable'to mounting in'a; front, side'or top wall of a-cabinet.. Figs. 11 and l2-showl an arrangement workedgout-for tep'ewal-l n-munting in' a conditi-oner" of remarkably small over-all dimensions.

In- Figs: 11 and l2 the front wall ofthe conditioner is shown at llfiand the top at Ill; The outlet opening is surrounded" byrubber-like gasket H6: The analogue of frame iB-is shown at! l8; It fitswit-hin gasket llfiandhasafiange which seats 'on top ill-and. a bridge piece 12! which adapts itto receive two swiveled frames I3lz These turn on trunnions I32which in this embodiment are relatively small. The frames l3! are slotted .fromsendsto end They are individuallymanipulableby finger pieces 23? The louvers Mi and their trunnions i3llare similar tolthcse shown in thefirstxembodiment.

Obviously,theframe I la:- mustlbe made. in two. partszto. permit assembly of the: frame/I3! Withxlt. The-plane of separationis not indicated but shouldbe parallel with'the plane of the paperin'Fig. 11. To permit mounting of the louvers, the frames I34 must be split, but this detail does not require illustration. To simplify the drawing, friction springs such as the springs 43 of Fig 9 are not illustrated, but their use with any or alLof. the trunnions is. obviousl-y, possible;

1. In a flow directing device the combination of .an elongated generally cylindrical member having coaxial. cylindrical journals and a longitudinal slot extending approximately throughout the length of the member, the side walls of said .slot each. having: a serieslofv bearings, the bearings of theftwo series ..being,,axially alinedin pairs; amplurality: of' lcuversnwhose length. n-

Each trunnion is cut away at one side, along the secant plane '62, and.

proximates the width of said slot, said louvers having trunnions at their opposite ends which trunnions are confined in corresponding pairs of said bearings; and a supporting frame having an opening shaped to receive and freely fit said cylindrical member and having hearings in which respective journals are rotatable,

25 In a flow directing .device the combination of an elongated generally cylindrical member having coaxial cylindrical journals of diameters approximating that of the cylindrical member at opposite ends thereof, and a longitudinal slot extending substantially throughout the interval between said journals and of a width subtending asmajorportionof. the diameter of said member, the side walls: of said slot each having a series of bearings, the bearings of the two series b'eing'axially-alined in pairs; a plurality of louvers whose length approximates the width of said slot, said louvers having trunnions at their opposite ends which. trunnions are confined in corresponding, pairs of said. bearings; and a sup,- porting frame having an opening shaped tore?- ceive and freely fit said cylindrical member" and having end bearings in which respective. journals are mounted to turn.

3.- In a flow directing device the combination of an elongated generally cylindrical. member having coaxial cylindrical journals of diameters approximating that of the cylindrical memberat opposite ends thereof. and. a. longitudinal. slot extending substantially throughout the interval between said journals andtof 'a width subtending a major portion of the diameter of said member, the side walls of said slot each having a series of bearings, the bearingsof the two series being axially alined in pairs; a plurality. of louvers whose lengthapproxirnates. the width ofsaid slot, said louvers having trunnions at their-ope posite ends which trunnions. are confined incorresponding pairs of said bearings; asupporting frame having an opening shaped to receive and freely fit said cylindrical member and having end bearings in which respective journalsare mounted to turn; and means forresisting endwise motion of said cylindrical member and. limiting rotary motion thereof, comprising inter-engaging rib and groove means associated. with. at. least one journal and the end. bearingin which. it turns.

4. In a flow directing device the combination of an elongated generally cylindrical-imember having coaxial cylindrical. journals,-. and. alongitudinal slot extending approximately. throughout the lengthy of thenmember, thev side walls, ofLsaid slot. each. havinga series voi. lcearirigs, the-bear: ings of the two series being axially alined,..in pairs; a plurality of louvers whose length approximates the. width of said. slot; saidlouvers having trunnions attheir opposite. ends which trunnions are materially larger in diameter than the thickness of the louvers, and, are confined in corresponding pairs. ofsaid'bearings; elastic friction means reacting between the-various trunnions and their bearings; and a supportingframe having an opening shapedto receive and freely fit said cylindrical member and having. end. bear:- ings in which respective journals are received.

5. In a flow directing device the combination of an elongated generally cylindrical member having coaxial cylindrical journals. of diameters approximating that of the. cylindrical member at. opposite ends 1 thereof, anda longitudinal slot extending substantially; throughout .thesinterval. betweensaid journalasthetside walls of saidslot each having a series of bearings, the bearings of the two series being axially alined in pairs; a plurality of louvers whose length approximates the width of said slot, said louvers having trunnions at their opposite ends which trunnions are materially larger in diameter than the thickness of the louvers, and are confined in corresponding pairs of said bearings; elastic friction means reacting between the various trunnions and their bearings; a supporting frame having an opening shaped to receive and freely fit said cylindrical member and having end bearings in which respective journals are mounted to turn; and means for resisting endwise motion of said cylindrical member and limiting rotary motion thereof, comprising inter-engaging rib and groove means associated with at least one journal and the end bearing in which it turns.

6. In a flow directing device the combination of an elongated generally cylindrical member having coaxial cylindrical journals of substantially the same diameter as the member at its opposite ends, and a longitudinal slot extending substantially throughout the interval between said journals and of a width approximating three fourths of the diameter of said member, the side walls of said slot each having a series of bearing-forming cylindrical recesses whose diameter greatly exceeds their depth, the recesses of the two series being axially alined in pairs; a plurality of louvers whose length approximates the width of said slot, said louvers having disc-like trunnions projecting at their opposite ends and respectively confined in corresponding recesses, said trunnions being peripherally notched; friction-developing springs in the various notches; and a supporting frame having an opening shaped to receive and freely fit said cylindrical member and having end hearings in which respective journals are confined.

WILLIAM S. STAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,092,673 Kempf Sept. 7, 1937 2,249,772 Maniscalco July 22, 1941 2,282,572 Graham May 12, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 571,761 Great Britain Sept. 7, 1945 580,093 Great Britain Aug. 27, 1946 

